There’s a saying about the Velvet Underground & Nico album that goes something along the lines of “They didn’t sell a huge number of copies of their record, but everyone who bought one started a band”. No Velvet Underground for you today but here’s the ingredients, so let’s start a band.

With the Fourth Of July, Independence Day Holiday upon us shortly, today for 5 on A Friday we put a Bag Of Songs spin on freedom and being free. Something we here in the USA often take for granted, but around the world people are still dying everyday in their struggle to achieve it.

Once again it’s Friday the thirteenth. Thirteen historically being a number full of mystery and superstition, today for 5 on A Friday we’ll take a look at some of the songs holding down the lucky?/unlucky? thirteenth spot on their respective albums. So cross your fingers, close your eyes, and turn it up.

Wednesday April 4th Wicked Willy’s on Bleecker St. 7pmFriday April 6th Googie’s Lounge Above The Living Room 154 Ludlow 7pm

One of the bands that blew me away when I saw them recently for the first time was Canada’s The Constantines. Someone stole one of their guitars at a recent show @ Lee’s Palace in Toronto.

From the band :Hey Friends,Thanks to all who came out to the show last night (March 30) at Lee’s Palace in Toronto. No thanks to the person who walked out of the club with Will’s guitar in Steve’s guitar case. We are asking anyone in the Toronto area to be on the look-out for a Black 1995 American Stratocaster with a white pick-guard, a rosewood fretboard, and a rainbow coloured guitar strap. The serial number is: N55 7313. The guitar case is a black Fender hardshell case, covered in Constantines, Threegut and Subpop Records stickers.If whoever took the guitar reads this, you can contact us via cradlerock1@gmail.com and we can figure out a way for you to return it, no questions asked.Thanks to everyone who has come to the shows in Eastern Canada so far. We head off to Winnipeg tomorrow and I am going to write another message in a few minutes announcing further tour dates in the Northeastern United States in late April.xo.Cons